Last Friday night at Old Tymerz, the music played softly, glasses clinked, and conversations flowed, but not in the way many had come to expect. Beneath the easy-going atmosphere, something deeper was unfolding. Gilbey’s Hangouts had returned for its second edition, and this time, it leaned into a question many men rarely answer out loud.
What makes a man cry?
Hosted by media personality Ronnie McVex, the evening moved quickly past surface level chatter. Instead, it opened up into a reflective, and at times uncomfortable, conversation about emotional expression, societal expectations, and the quiet pressures men carry.
There was no single narrative in the room. For some, vulnerability remained a difficult space to enter. A number of men admitted that opening up, especially to women, felt risky. Fear of judgment, misunderstanding, or having their words used against them lingered in their minds, shaping how much they were willing to share.
But others pushed back against that hesitation.
They spoke about the strength in vulnerability, about the freedom that comes with being heard, and the importance of choosing the right spaces and people. In those moments, the conversation shifted from resistance to possibility, suggesting that emotional openness is not weakness, but a different kind of courage.
Women who joined the discussion added another layer to the dialogue. While they encouraged honesty, they also highlighted the importance of trust and emotional safety. Openness, they noted, cannot be forced. It grows where there is understanding, patience, and mutual respect.
As the conversation unfolded, it became clear that this was not just a themed event. It was a mirror reflecting the realities of modern relationships, where traditional ideas of masculinity are being questioned, redefined, and, in some cases, quietly dismantled.
Away from the discussion circle, the night retained its social rhythm. Guests moved between conversations and cocktails, enjoying curated drinks from Gilbey’s that added a light, playful contrast to the weight of the dialogue. The setting never lost its warmth, allowing people to engage deeply without feeling overwhelmed.
The familiar old school playlist at Old Tymerz carried a sense of nostalgia through the space, creating a balance between reflection and relaxation. It was the kind of environment where conversations could pause, breathe, and then pick up again, often more honestly than before.
Perhaps most telling was the turnout. Compared to its debut, the second edition drew a larger, more engaged crowd, a sign that there is growing appetite for spaces that go beyond entertainment and into meaningful exchange.
For Gilbey’s Brand Manager Raymond Karama, that shift is exactly the point. The Hangouts are evolving into more than just a social series. They are becoming a platform where real issues can be explored without losing the ease and connection that draw people in.
And as the night wound down, one thing lingered in the air. Not just the music or the laughter, but the sense that something important had been said, and perhaps more importantly, heard.
With Gilbey’s Hangouts set to return every Friday, Ntinda may have found more than a nightlife routine. It may have found a space where conversation, in its most honest form, is finally taking centre stage.
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